Obituary of Catherine Elizabeth Burke

Burke

Catherine "Cathy" (nee Palmer) Burke, on June 22, 2023. Family was everything to Cathy. She and her husband Tom met as coworkers in the 1960s and were inseparable for the next 60 years.  They raised their six children at 4208 Manayunk Avenue with lots of home cooked meals and love to go around.

Cathy's roots in Manayunk go back to the 1850s when her great-grandfather Joseph Brecht arrived from Germany. He worked in the textile mills and lived on Terrace Street. 

Cathy was a graduate of Hallahan High School and was an active parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Manayunk.

Cathy adored her grandchildren with hugs and kisses and her handmade goodie baskets on holidays and birthdays.

Cathy loved beach vacations in Ocean City, NJ and Myrtle Beach, SC over the years and in Cape May just a few weeks ago. She loved collecting shells on the beach and crafting gifts with them.  The Burke's hosted many legendary parties at the Manayunk Bike Race and on New Year's Day (Sandy's Birthday). Cathy loved cooking and sharing her recipes like Pumpkin Pie, Monkey Bread and Chicken Pot Pie.

Cathy loved her shopping and knew just about every sale and worker at Boscov's, Walmart, and the Dollar Store.

Cathy always cherished the memory of her brother Thomas who was KIA in Korea in 1953. Cathy's brother James Palmer, his wife Marie, and their children and grandchildren were always so special to her.

We will love her and miss her forever...Beloved wife of Thomas Burke, loving mother of Cathy (Fred) Esslinger, Sandy (Dave) Phillips, Susan (Jake) Benson, Thomas (Barbara) Jr., Scott, and Brian (Kristen) Burke. Grandmother of Christina, Sarah (Jacob), Catherine, Mary, Lauren, Thomas, Julia, Sophia, Chloe, Luke, Harrison, Jacob, Charlotte, and Charles, sister of James, and the late Thomas Palmer. The Carr and Smith families.

Family and friends are invited to her viewing Tuesday 6-8 PM and Wednesday 8:30 AM at the Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 425 Lyceum Ave, Phila. and to participate in her funeral mass 10 AM at St. Philip Neri Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, Pa. Int Private.

We are so grateful to Penn Medicine, especially to Penn Home Hospice team, for the comfort and care they gave to Mom, as well as the wonderful insights, knowledge, and emotional support they showed our entire family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Penn Hospice: giving.apps.upenn.edu/fund